2016 Special Teams ALL IN Overhaul

Jan 17, 2016, 11:15 PM

Even Capt Obvious could tell you Tiger kick & punt returns and kick & punt coverage was not average in 2015. It was terrible. 126 out of 129 performance before championship game meltdown. Even with our phenomenal talent level, a talent level equal to the Alabama Crimson Tide, the coaches were not "ALL IN" on Special Teams. According to our players, off the record, our coaches played it safe and not to fail.

Almost every game and special teams' play provided an example. Even before the FSU and ALA games, and their KO returns to the left, it was clear the contain man was never in place. It was easy pickings for opponents on most kickoffs. We fair catch most every punt return. Tip of the iceberg.

And Deshaun was there to pick up the slack. And it worked until the ALA game. The question is what will Clemson do in 2016 to go ALL IN? Will Dabo and our coaches go ALL IN on Special Teams like the team does on Offense and Defense and play to win and not play ultra-conservatively to not to make mistakes?

2015. What a great year. Dabo, coaches, players and the ultimate player Deshaun deserve so much credit. They gave Clemson one of our best two seasons of all time. And it was all accomplished with very few positive outcomes on Special Teams. Getting better will be challenging but possible with Deshaun, Mike Williams, Leggett and our line returning on Offense and Christian, BV and our recruits on Defense.

However, getting better on Special Teams in 2016 could potentially happen by doing nothing ... the Clemson player talent is not in question. Clemson Special Teams coaching needs to step up. Clemson can improve significantly with Special Teams coaching GUTS and a responsible "buck stops here" special teams coach and an ALL IN effort. I am looking forward to how we take advantage of our talent on Special Teams in 2016 - the area of team play that even Capt. Obvious knows could give our Clemson team another dimension in 2016. As always, Go Tigers!